Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP partners are meeting today to discuss merging with two other large law firms: Salans and SNR Denton.
If the three firms’ partners approve the pact, it would create a massive international entity that would have 2,500 lawyers and professionals in 79 locations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
The proposed merger is the latest in a spate of international consolidation among law firms.
Fasken Martineau announced on October 22 that it plans to merge with Johannesburg-based Bell Dewar. The merger would make give Fasken largest international footprint of any Canadian law firm.
The integration of the two firms is expected to be completed by February 2013.
Fasken's managing partner William Westeringh said he would not rule out a merger with a multinational partner, but added that such a pact would have to be in clients' interests.
Fasken's move comes on the heels of London-based Norton Rose merging with two Canadian law firms in the past couple of years: Ogilvy Renault LLP in May 2011 and MacLeod Dixon LLP in January 2012.
Norton Rose bills itself as “Canada's legal pipeline to the world” because Ogilvy Renault had a strong Montreal presence and MacLeod Dixon had a significant presence in Calgary and Toronto. While Norton Rose has no Vancouver base, some speculate that a merger with a local law firm could be in the cards.
